Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que will soon expand its franchise to Little Rock. Pat C. Boyd, of Hand Cut Steaks Inc., a company that owns and operates Colton's, Saddle Creek and West End Smokehouse and Tavern in Arkansas and beyond, is opening franchises in four locations throughout Arkansas, including one in the capital city. Since 2003, Boyd's company has owned a Famous Dave's in Rogers. The Minnetonka, Minn., chain operates 40 restaurants on its own and has 110 additional spots franchised throughout 35 states. It boasts regional offerings, like “St. Louis-style” spare ribs, “Texas” beef brisket, “Georgia” chopped pork and an assortment of region-specific sauces. Famous Dave's claims to have won more than 200 awards for its 'cue from such barbecue juggernauts as the “Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off” in Sparks, Nevada” and “Rib Fest & More” in Fargo, S.D., and the “Indianapolis Rib Fest.” Word on the street is that the restaurant will fill the vacant Tia's on Shackelford.

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